Robert W. Campbell

.........You are invited to E-mail the author at: FlyaboutNovels@outlook.com ................

Although the author of Flyabout, Dr. Robert Campbell, has enjoyed his career as a University Professor of Computer Science, he’s also enjoyed a lifelong interest in all areas related to aviation. In order to write with accuracy and precision about the flying sequences in the novel, he became a student pilot and learned to fly a single-engine Piper Warrior and a twin-engine Piper Seneca. A colleague of his, a fully certified DC-10 Captain, served as a technical consultant for the airline accident sequences.

A truly ‘scary’ event developed during Dr. Campbell’s last instructional flight in the twin-engine Seneca. During that last flight, as he worked his way through the engine checklist, he notified his instructor that the engine oil pressure gauge on the left engine was reading in the red ‘danger zone’. His instructor verified that fact but said the plane had just completed it’s 100-hour check and that the mechanics had noted in the maintenance log that, although the gauge did register ‘too high,’ it simply needed to be re-calibrated—and that would be done later in the week. At the instructor’s insistence that the aircraft was sound for takeoff, the pair began the take-off roll. Aside from the scary left engine’s oil pressure reading the flight lesson ended safely. But minutes after returning the aircraft to the flight center, another pilot hurriedly picked up the keys to the Seneca and left for his flight. He, too, had been notified of the issue with the oil pressure problem in the left engine but, he too, believed the mechanic’s notation that all was ‘okay.’ But all was NOT okay. After a 30-minute flight the pilot approached the runway. Less than one-second after the landing gear touched down on the runway the left engine exploded into flames and smoke. The oil pressure gauge was ‘in fact’ warning that the engine was ready to explode and the complete aircraft was nearly lost. Fortunately, even though there was nearly a quarter of a million dollars in damage, the pilot escaped without injury. It was a close call for all who were involved with that aircraft on that day.

Dr. Campbell, a USAF veteran, and his wife Alice, left Boston recently for the sun and fun of The Villages, Florida where he still enjoys taking flying lessons and writing novels.

ANNOUNCEMENT---- The sequel to FLYABOUT is coming.----- Fans oF FLYABOUT are already gearing up for more fun, adventure, and mystery in the Australian Outback now that Dr. Campbell has announced the sequel to his highly successful FLYABOUT. Release date will be announced soon. Watch this space for some upcoming hints about the exciting new story.

Thanks so much to my fans. I promise the sequel will be a great read for you!